Hi!
I require your help regarding a problem I’m encountering.
we’ve a few “occasional” fresh-water springs which require a track-mounted remote robot and video to tell our family when we need to do something about it.
*I think a tracked, small, robot with WiFi camera would work fine.:
Thank you so much in advance for your help!
What is the deepest the water can get under the house? Does the vehicle need to be waterproof?
Tnx reply, so fast
oh, 2 inches spread over “here and there” , 10 by 10 foot areas {depressions}
not waterproof at all. Black Snake proof though. Got a few and thus we have no rattlers nor copperheads … so we “protect” the Black snakes (fwiw)
maybe low-light camera … or an LED headlight. Terrain is ultra-flat
again, thanks reply
A lot of the inexpensive tracked chassis that I’ve seen have a pretty low center of gravity which doesn’t allow for a lot of ground clearance.
Is this something that you’re looking to build?
These kits are pretty solid, but I’m unsure of the clearance. I own the wheeled rover, but it’s outside in the garage on workbench… I can take a measurement tomorrow when I get home from work to let you know the clearance.
Keep in mind that these kits are do it yourself platforms and you will need to plan and incorporate peripherals.
Okay, I ran out to the garage… my wheeled version of the rover has right at 2 inches of ground clearance in the configuration that I linked above.
Ah, yes, clearance …So I looked at the wheeled 4x4. We’ll start there. Much better idea. Good that yer around.
So, I saw, via “links” , that there is a Pan-n-Tilt assmby …a good start for “whatever” optix we pick.
Now then, given the chassis decided upon, what avenue next?
Wife already wants to put “remote” sensors aboard. I might be sorry I left the monitor on
WiFi camera back to controller-box. I like VFR better than IFR searching around out of my line of sight.
Lynxmotion has a PS2 style controller for remote control that links to a microcontroller and motor driver. I believe that they also provide sample code for this. I do not own the PS2 controller, but have been contemplating adding into my build as an override to the autonomy.
PS2 Controller
Sabertooth RC Motor Driver
Arduino Style Microcontroller
I believe that this kit has almost everything except batteries, the pan and tilt servo set up, camera and other sensors. Also, the IR Range Sensors need mounting hardware/bracket for each sensor.
Rover Autonomous
Aluminum Multi-Purpose Sensor Bracket
*Edited to add the RC Rover version:
RC Rover
This kit doesn’t include sensors, but does have the controller.
Just a disclaimer, I only recommend the Lynxmotion rover because I own one. There are plenty of other viable platforms to that can be utilized for this project.
Great links … I am learning and this helps
so … Lynxmotion A4WD1 Autonomous Rover Kit
then can I use " EZ-B V4 WiFi Robot Controller with Camera" to not only see but to wifi it back to my controller on the surface, so to speak? … [EZ-B-V4 ](https://www.robotshop.com/en/ez-b-v4-wifi-robot-controller-with camera.html)
Initially I need to be able to steer; to see the water from the house, nice n dry thank-you-very-much. . “Then” I can have it search for water and guess the surface area; guess the average depth.
I’ve never used that camera, maybe someone else can chime in. It appears that the “kit” contains the controller and camera, but you would still need the tilt and pan as well as the rotating base.
My question is, will this work in stand alone configuration on-top of whatever microcontroller you choose? This paragraph also has me puzzled:
“With the EZ-B V4 WiFi Robot Controller with Camera combo you can start customizing your robot with ez-bits, or create a robot from scratch. This is the brain and vision for your ezrobot! With the electronics protected by a stylish plastic shell, the ez-bv4 clips into your ezrobot Revolution chassis or custom robot. It is easily controlled over Wi-Fi using ez-builder software.”
It seems like this is the foundation for preassembled kits made by the same company that makes the camera and controller.
I guess no one else on this site including moderators have anything to add? Weird, especially since it seems like the original poster appears to be a motivated shopper.
Hi there @Rocky42
I’m getting into the subject a little late because I thought @bmoscato had some very good suggestions, as well as some experience with those platforms. The A4WD1 Autonomous Rover Kit seems like a great option if you are willing to add the rest of the things you need on top of it, like the pan/tilt system, the camera and some sensors. You could also check other robotic platforms here and maybe find some inspiration for your robot in the Robots section where you could also share yours. And if you prefer an out of the box solution you could check the Pan / Tilt Minibot Inspection Robot or maybe just look at the features it offers for some inspiration 
Good afternoon @geraldinebc15,
The OP (@Rocky42) was asking about EZ-B V4 WiFi Robot Controller with Camera in one of the prior postings, I don’t know anything about this product and was hoping someone else could chime in and give some direction.
Hi @bmoscato
I’m not familiar with EZ-B V4 WiFi Robot Controller with Camera either so I can’t comment much about it. The only thing is that the kit @Rocky42 was interested in (Lynxmotion A4WD1 Autonomous Rover Kit) already includes a microcontroller so I don’t see why another one would be necessary. If it was me I would just add the pan and tilt system with a camera module 
@geraldinebc15 I concur with your assessment and still feel that the Lynxmotion platform is a great starting point. I think he was looking for an “all in one” pan and tilt system with integrated camera and that’s how he stumbled upon the EZ WiFi robot Controller with Camera.
